Drips, Leaks and Runs
Just what are we talking about? You guessed it; faucets, valves and toilets.
Did you know that just one faucet dripping at the rate of one drop per second can waste 2,700 gallons over the course of year? This can add up over time on your water bill. If you are on city sewers, then your sewer rates will go up too. And if you’re on a septic, all that extra water can seriously harm your system and may even back up into your home. At the very least, your tank will have to be pumped out more often, costing you even more money.
And that’s if you’re leaking cold water. If it’s hot water, your gas or electric bill will also suffer. It’s a shame, considering all that is usually needed is a washer or cartridge replacement.
And what about valves? They can either become the cause of a leak OR prevent you from stopping a leak. The most common leak we are called for is a leaking outside tap and/or it’s shut off valve. When you turn on your outside tap for the first time in spring, be sure to check back inside for any signs of leaking. One client turned on the outside tap to fill the kids pool and came back inside to a flooded basement! And when it comes time to turn them off for the winter, do it correctly to prevent freezing and bursting. (Click here for winter instructions)
Check and test all the shut off valves in your home regularly, especially the main shut off valve and the ones inside cabinets. And don’t forget your furnace humidifier valve! Ensuring all valves are functioning correctly could prevent serious water damage in your home.
Now let’s talk toilets – If you have only one toilet that runs on, it can waste up to 500 gallons per day which could cost you on average an extra $1,200 per year. We’ve even seen a few clients with water bills as high as $700 – in one month!
Water leaks through the ceiling are frequently caused by a toilet or shower/bathtub. If you’ve had a new floor or toilet installed in the bathroom the correct gasket may not have been used. New flooring may be higher or lower than the old one requiring a new and correct gasket and some further adjustments. As for the shower, a worn valve or pipe behind the wall may cause ceiling leaks. So can missing grout or caulking. Check around the tiles regularly and replace worn out grout and silicone to prevent leaking or worse… water damage.
Although insurance companies will usually cover any damage caused, they rarely, if ever, pay for the plumbing repairs. And they generally WON’T cover that same cause of water damage a second time, so it’s best to get any repairs done by a licensed, experienced professional.
All in all I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s actually cheaper to fix all those plumbing problems while they are still small.
Don’t sleep with a drip! 😉